Austin vs Chiang Mai: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States and Chiang Mai, Thailand, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Chiang Mai is about 63% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $1,500 in Austin.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 210 Mbps.
- Austin is temperate; Chiang Mai is tropical.
Austin wins 1 of the measured lines; Chiang Mai wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 63% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Austin.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Chiang Mai?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 210 Mbps in Chiang Mai.
| Line | Austin | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $1,100 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $400 |
| Food | $620 | $320 |
| Transport | $90 | $40 |
| Coworking | $200 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 210 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Chiang Mai November 6, 2026.